Method and apparatus for printing onto cassettes or specimen slides for histological preparations

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for printing onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or onto glass specimen slides for microscopic thin sections are described, in which a computing device ( 1 ) is provided to control the printing device ( 2 ), and the printing device ( 2 ) comprises an inkjet printer for printing onto the cassettes and/or specimen slides. The ink is pre-dried by way of a hot-air drier ( 3 ) and completely dried by way of a flash device ( 4 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of the German patent application101 15 065.2 filed Mar. 27, 2001 which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention concerns a system for printing onto plastic, inparticular plastic cassettes for histological preparations, and/or ontoglass, in particular glass specimen slides for microscopic thinsections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] For the microscopic observation of preparations, in particularhistological preparations, the latter must first be subjected to achemical treatment in which the water contained in the specimen isremoved and is replaced, for example, by paraffin or another medium. Forthis chemical treatment, the specimens are introduced into plasticcassettes. A cassette of this kind is depicted and described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,821,115 A.

[0004] Formulas for this kind of specimen treatment are known, forexample, from the document “Embedding and sectioning methods formicroscopic preparations [Einbettung- und Schneideverfahren fürmikroskopische Präparate], Ernst Leitz GmbH, Liste 530-18a, September1973.” The preparation methods described are characterized in that wateris removed from the preparation with ethanol/ethyl ether/propanol, andthe preparation is then embedded in paraffin/methacrylate. It isunderstood that the plastic cassettes and the materials that are usedmust not react with the chemical reagents.

[0005] In this treatment, the specimens are stabilized to the extentthat by means of a microtome, thin sections of the specimens can be madeand can then each be mounted onto a glass specimen slide. Depending onthe examination method, several thin sections are made of eachpreparation and are mounted onto the specimen slides. Prior to theactual microscopic observation, the preparations mounted onto thespecimen slides must also be stained. It is usual in this context thatnot all preparations go through the same staining process, but insteadthat depending on the examination method, three or more differentlystained preparations are produced.

[0006] For differentiation and identification, the individual cassettesand specimen slides must be given a label or code. It was hitherto usualto label the cassettes and specimen slides manually in pencil. Graphitewas the only medium that was resistant to the reagents of the embeddingprocess, but with the disadvantage that it cannot be applied insmudgeproof fashion. With manual labeling of the cassettes and/orspecimen slides, however, errors can occur which then result in medicalmisdiagnoses.

[0007] For this reason, computer-assisted labeling systems have beendeveloped which have largely eliminated these manual labeling errors.The difficulty that exists with these labeling systems is that offinding a suitable printing or writing medium. This medium must becharacterized in that it resists a wide variety of chemical solvents andreagents, and adheres securely both to the plastic cassettes and to theglass of the specimen slide or the coated portion of the specimen slide.In addition, there is very little room on the cassettes and specimenslides for a corresponding code, so that the code must be applied incorrespondingly delicate fashion.

[0008] GB Patent 2 206 083 discloses an “engraving machine” for aspecimen slide and/or a cassette. This engraving device is controlledvia a computer and an interface, and allows corresponding markings to bescratched into the cassette or specimen slide. It is disadvantageous,however, that this machine is very loud and very slow in operation, andalso produces a great deal of debris due to the engraving. The engravedcode is moreover very difficult to read.

[0009] GB Patent 2 235 163 A discloses a plotter for plastic cassettesin which labeling is performed with a thermal method using a heatableplotter pin and a carbon ribbon. The disadvantage here is that thismethod can be applied only to plastic, and moreover that only lowresolution and a low printing speed can be achieved. The low printingspeed results from the fact that the pin must move to each letterindividually in the manner of a plotter.

[0010] In all known printing systems the resolution is relatively poor,so that only a very “coarse” code can be applied. It is thus notpossible to realize the applied code in machine-readable fashion. Theapplication of very thin lines, such as is necessary e.g. for barcodes,is not feasible with any of the known printing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop amethod and an apparatus for computer-assisted printing onto plasticcassettes and/or glass specimen slides in which not only high printingresolution but also a high printing speed are achieved.

[0012] The method for printing onto plastic cassettes for histologicalpreparations and/or for printing onto glass specimen slides formicroscopic thin sections is characterized in that the cassettes and/orspecimen slides are conveyed to a printing device where a code isapplied with a computer-controlled inkjet printer. In a further methodstep, the applied ink is then pre-dried with a flow of hot air. Afterthis pre-drying, the applied ink is exposed to the light of a flash lampand the ink is completely dried. The light of the flash lamp causes theliquid constituents of the ink to be abruptly heated and evaporated.Without a pre-drying of the ink by the flow of hot air, the abruptevaporation would cause carbon particles in the ink to be carried offand deposited as a coating on the flash lamp.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, after complete dryingof the applied ink the cassette and/or specimen slide is transported toan output and/or stacking device where it is deposited.

[0014] The method is also characterized in that by way of an input unit,for example a barcode reader, a code can be read in and/or can bemanually inputted by way of a keyboard; and said code is processed bythe computing device and corresponding printing signals are thenforwarded to the print head. The computing device can also be used tocall up stored printing profiles (e.g. printing various data onto aplurality of specimen slides) with the code that is inputted or read in,and to forward corresponding printing signals to the printing device.

[0015] The apparatus for carrying out the method is characterized inthat a computer is provided to control the printing device, and theprinting device comprises an inkjet printer for printing onto thecassettes and/or specimen slides.

[0016] A solvent-based ink having carbon black pigments is used as theink for the printing device. The ink is characterized in that it can becured by abrupt thermal input with IR and UV radiation.

[0017] For complete drying and curing, the cassettes and/or specimenslides are first exposed to a flow of hot air and then transported intoa flash lighting device. The flash light causes the pre-dried ink to beabruptly exposed to a heat input with IR and UV radiation, and therebycompletely dried.

[0018] The invention is also characterized in that a material deliverydevice for cassettes of various dimensions and/or specimen slides ofvarious dimensions is provided, so that different cassettes and/orspecimen slides can be printed onto in computer-controlled fashion.

[0019] It has proven to be advantageous in this connection if thecassettes and/or specimen slides are grouped into stack magazines. Therespective magazines can then be activated via the computing device.Different cassettes and/or different specimen slides can thus be printedonto in a single working step.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, a transport device isprovided for computer-controlled removal from the stack magazines andfor delivery of the cassettes and/or specimen slides to the printingdevice.

[0021] The printing device is furthermore equipped with a removal devicefor deposition of the imprinted cassettes and/or imprinted specimenslides. This removal device is adjacent to the flash device.

[0022] The invention is also characterized in that the various devicescan be activated simultaneously by the computer, so that differentprocesses can be executed simultaneously within the printing device. Acontinuous flow of material is thus implemented, and the processingspeed is considerably increased.

[0023] For acquisition and management of the specimen data, an inputdevice is associated with the computer system. The data for controllingthe entire printing system can thus be calculated by way of the inputteddata, and the individual stations within the printing system can beactivated simultaneously.

[0024] In a further embodiment of the invention, provision is made forthe computer to be connected via an interface to a higher-levelcomputing system, and for data to be exchanged between the two computingsystems by way of said interface. This makes it possible for the datanecessary for printing to be stored centrally and to be retrievable by avariety of printing systems. It is moreover also possible in thisfashion to check whether the imprinted cassettes and/or specimen slideshave already been completed.

[0025] It is also provided that the cassettes and/or specimen slides canbe manually placed into the printing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be presented in an exemplary embodiment andexplained in more detail with reference to the schematic drawings, inwhich

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device of the presentinvention; and

[0028]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the printing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a printing system 11 having a material deliverysystem 5 which comprises multiple stack magazines 6 for the cassettesand/or specimen slides that are to be printed onto. Associated withmaterial delivery system 5 is a transport device 7 that transports thecassettes and/or specimen slides to a printing device 2. Printing device2 is equipped with an inkjet printer. The imprinted cassettes and/orspecimen slides are forwarded, using transport device 7, to a hot-airdrier 3. This hot-air drier generates a heated flow of air and directsit onto the imprinted surface of the cassette or specimen slide. The inkis pre-dried by the flow of hot air. The cassette and/or specimen slideis then forwarded to a flash device 4 and the imprinted surface isexposed to the flash light. There the pre-dried ink is abruptly exposedto a thermal input with IR and UV radiation by way of the flash light,and thereby completely dried.

[0030] The cassettes and/or specimen slides treated in this fashion arethen forwarded via transport device 7 to a removal device 8.

[0031] A computing device 1 is provided to control printing system 11.Computing device 1 comprises an interface 10 for connection to ahigher-level computing system. Computing system 1 is furthermoreconnected to an input device 9; the latter can comprise both a barcodereader and an input keyboard.

[0032] The individual units can be controlled simultaneously bycomputing device 1, so that multiple cassettes and/or specimen slidescan be processed simultaneously in printing system 11, thus ensuring acontinuous material flow.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows a side view of printing system 11 with materialdelivery device 5 and stack magazines 6. Hot-air drier 3 comprises a fanwith heating coil 12 with which the continuous flow of hot air isgenerated.

[0034] With the printing system, both cassettes of different dimensionsand specimen slides can be selectably and alternatingly printed onto. Itis thus also possible to print onto both cassettes and specimen slidesin one working step. Provision can of course also be made for equippingthe printing system only for printing onto cassettes or only forprinting onto specimen slides.

[0035] Parts List

[0036]1 Computing device

[0037]2 Printing device

[0038]3 Hot-air drier

[0039]4 Flash device

[0040]5 Material delivery device

[0041]6 Stack magazine

[0042]7 Transport device

[0043]8 Removal device

[0044]9 Input device

[0045]10 Interface

[0046]11 Printing system

[0047]12 Fan with heating coil

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for printing onto plastic cassettes forhistological preparations and/or for printing onto glass specimen slidesfor microscopic thin sections, in which the cassettes and/or specimenslides are conveyed to a printing device where a code is appliedthereto, said method comprising the step of: applying said code using aninkjet printer controlled by a computer.
 2. The method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising the step of: exposing said cassettes and/orspecimen slides to a flow of hot air after said code is applied topre-dry ink applied by said inkjet printer.
 3. The method as defined inclaim 2, further comprising the step of: exposing said applied ink tolight produced by a flash lamp after said applied ink is pre-dried bysaid flow of hot air to completely dry said applied ink.
 4. The methodas defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of: transporting saidcassettes and/or specimen slides to an output device after said appliedink has been completely dried.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4,wherein said output device is a stacking device.
 6. The method asdefined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: inputting said codeto said computer; processing said code by means of said computer toprovide printing signals for printing said code; and forwarding saidprinting signals to said inkjet printer.
 7. The method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising the step of using said computer to control ameans for conveying said cassettes and/or specimen slides to saidprinting device to provide a continuous flow of cassettes and/orspecimen slides through said printing device.
 8. An apparatus forprinting onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/oronto glass specimen slides for microscopic thin sections, said apparatuscomprising: a printing device including an inkjet printer for printingonto said cassettes and/or specimen slides; and a computer connected tosaid printing device for controlling said printing device.
 9. Theapparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said inkjet printer uses asolvent-based ink having carbon black pigments.
 10. The apparatus asdefined in claim 9, wherein said ink can be cured by abrupt thermalinput with infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
 11. The apparatus asdefined in claim 10, further comprising a hot air drier and a flashdevice for curing said ink printed on said cassettes and/or specimenslides.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising amaterial delivery device for supplying cassettes of various dimensionsand specimen slides of various dimensions to said printing device. 13.The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said material deliverydevice includes a plurality of stack magazines into which said cassettesand/or specimen slides are grouped.
 14. The apparatus as defined inclaim 13, wherein said material delivery device includes a transportdevice connected to said computer for computer-controlled removal ofcassettes and/or specimen slides from said stack magazines and fordelivery of said removed cassettes and/or specimen slides to saidprinting device.
 15. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, furthercomprising a removal device arranged after said flash device fordepositing imprinted cassettes and/or imprinted specimen slides.
 16. Theapparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising an input deviceconnected to said computer for acquisition of specimen data.
 17. Theapparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein data for controlling saidprinting device are calculated by said computer based on said inputtedspecimen data.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, furthercomprising a higher-level computing system and an interface forconnecting said computer to said higher-level computing system, wherebydata are exchanged between said computer and said higher-level computingsystem by way of said interface.
 19. The apparatus as defined in claim8, wherein said cassettes and/or specimen slides can be manuallydelivered to said printing device.
 20. An apparatus for printing ontoplastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or onto glassspecimen slides for microscopic thin sections, said apparatuscomprising: a printing device including an inkjet printer for printingonto said cassettes and/or specimen slides; a computer connected to saidprinting device for controlling said printing device; a hot air drierand a flash device for curing said ink printed on said cassettes and/orspecimen slides; and a material delivery device for supplying cassettesof various dimensions and specimen slides of various dimensions to saidprinting device, said material delivery device including a plurality ofstack magazines into which said cassettes and/or specimen slides aregrouped and a transport device connected to said computer forcomputer-controlled removal of cassettes and/or specimen slides fromsaid stack magazines and for delivery of said removed cassettes and/orspecimen slides to said printing device; wherein said printing device,said hot air drier, said flash device, said material delivery device,said plurality of stack magazines, and said transport device areconnected to said computer and can be activated simultaneously by saidcomputer; whereby different processes can be executed simultaneously.